I am huge fan of Jimmy Aikin- "Encyclopedia Brown" of the Bible. Recently read a magazine article from Jimmy on the Star of Bethlehem. He pointed out a few things that I had not noticed or contemplated:
1) In the Gospel of Matthew- The magi from the East first went to Jerusalem (after seeing sign of a star in the sky), to visit King Herod, it was King Herod and his advisors that provided the details on Bethlehem. The Magi then took the short trip to Bethlehem (less than 5 miles). The star stopped over place where Jesus laid.
2) Very common in ancient times to look at stars as signs. The star was viewed as new born king, so they went to current king Herod and asked about the new king.
3) Documented cases of Magi going to Rome- 66AD to pay homage to Nero. Documented birth of King Mirthridates 6 of Pontus in 134 BC was accompanied by a comet (they took it as a sign).
4) Jimmy goes on to speculate on timing of Jesus birth 7-2 BC, early church sources have it at 2-3 BC.
5) Jimmy goes through options for stars: Not a meteor, Nova/SuperNova, Comet, Conjunction (2 planets align or star and planet align- these don't move the same way stars move across sky with earth's orbit)
Summary- not enough evidence to conclude exactly what happened. But what bible says is very reasonable, not farfetched.
Jimmy Aiken- Star Article-similar article- not the same
1) In the Gospel of Matthew- The magi from the East first went to Jerusalem (after seeing sign of a star in the sky), to visit King Herod, it was King Herod and his advisors that provided the details on Bethlehem. The Magi then took the short trip to Bethlehem (less than 5 miles). The star stopped over place where Jesus laid.
2) Very common in ancient times to look at stars as signs. The star was viewed as new born king, so they went to current king Herod and asked about the new king.
3) Documented cases of Magi going to Rome- 66AD to pay homage to Nero. Documented birth of King Mirthridates 6 of Pontus in 134 BC was accompanied by a comet (they took it as a sign).
4) Jimmy goes on to speculate on timing of Jesus birth 7-2 BC, early church sources have it at 2-3 BC.
5) Jimmy goes through options for stars: Not a meteor, Nova/SuperNova, Comet, Conjunction (2 planets align or star and planet align- these don't move the same way stars move across sky with earth's orbit)
Summary- not enough evidence to conclude exactly what happened. But what bible says is very reasonable, not farfetched.
Jimmy Aiken- Star Article-similar article- not the same